In an interview with former student leader Jose Luis "Chito" Gascon, he narrates his experience on how freedom of the press was realized when the Philippines was under the Martial Law until when it was lifted in 1981.
During the dictatorship, there was suppression of freedom of speech of press and of expression, but even during the dark days of martial law there were alternative sources of information that we could validate the truth from. Of course, with the transition to democracy we achieved the full provision of a free press with broadcast, print and now social media providing the people with important sources of information.
Well, the press and access to information in the Philippines is quite robust. Notwithstanding the fact that there are real challenges that it faces. It has become robust because of our experience with authoritarian rule and dictatorship. There was a time when the press was controlled, people had no freedom of information, freedom of speech and of expression, yet, we struggled against policies during the authoritarian period and provided the public alternative news sources. And these alternative news sources emerged to become the strong free press that we have today. - Chito Gascon